Substantive Change Policy and Procedures

Accreditation of entry-level graduate programs by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) is based on information and conditions that are current at the time accreditation is granted. The CAA's Policy on Substantive Changes in CAA-Accredited Entry-Level Graduate Education Programs (2002; revised November 2003; July 2005, November 2010) was developed to accommodate programs to ensure continuous quality when major changes are proposed that could have an impact on their ability to comply with accreditation standards. Substantive changes, such as offering a new degree program, expanding or altering how curriculum is offered by using distance education or at a satellite campus, all have an effect on the accredited program and its resources.

This policy applies to CAA-accredited entry-level graduate education programs, and to programs that hold candidate status. Programs already engaged in activities articulated in this policy prior to 2002 should report on these activities in their CAA Annual Report or (Re)Accreditation Application.

Modifications to the Policy & Procedures

In 2005, the CAA revised the policy to remove the consortium section and established a separate policy to address this type of program. The CAA revised the submission procedures in November 2005 to clarify required documentation for all substantive change applications.

In 2010, the CAA revised the policy to remove the change in degree level option from this policy. The CAA also clarified expectations that accredited programs must have a formalized agreement with a satellitelocation/branch campus and that satellite locations or branch campuses may be based in either foreign or domestic sites.

Current Forms

When submitting a substantive change plan, a program must file the Cover Page, Appendices, and the relevant section(s) to support the proposed change at least 12 months in advance of student enrollment.

All materials are available in MS Word formats by contacting the Accreditation Office at accreditation@asha.org. Please direct any questions that you may have about the process for submitting substantive change plans to Sue Flesher at sflesher@asha.org.

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About Us

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for 182,000 members and affiliates who are audiologists; speech-language pathologists; speech, language, and hearing scientists; audiology and speech-language pathology support personnel; and students.